These amido compounds, of which aniline, toluidine, benzidine, naphthylamine are familiar examples, are characterised by containing the molecular group NH {2}, which radicle is built up of the two elements nitrogen and hydrogen.

The best way of proceeding is the following: Heat 1-3/4 lb. of alpha-naphthylamine in 10 pints of boiling water, agitating well until the base is very finely divided in the water, then 1-1/4 pints of hydrochloric acid is added, and the heat and stirring continued until the base is dissolved, then the mass is allowed to cool, 27 lb. of ice is added and 1-1/2 pints of hydrochloric acid.

Sometimes two developers are mixed together, in which case care should be taken that an alkaline developer naphthol or phenol be not mixed with an acid developer (phenylene diamine, naphthylamine, etc.), unless the acidity of the latter has been neutralised with soda; otherwise the developer might be thrown out of the bath in an insoluble and hence useless form.

They can be diazotised at the ordinary temperature, and their diazo compounds are much stabler than those, for example, of alpha-and beta-naphthylamine or of aniline, which must always be used as quickly as possible.